What Women Want

Play trailer

2:17

What Women Want

PG-13

Released Dec 15, 2000

2h 6m

Romance

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

124 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) gets a whole new outlook on life when a fluke accident gives him the ability to read women's minds. At first, this "gift" provides Nick with way too much information, but he begins to realize that he can use it to good effect, especially when it comes to outwitting his new boss, Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Even though Gibson is a good sport in his role, What Women Want is a rather conventional, fluffy comedy-romance that doesn't make good use of its premise.

Read Critics Reviews

Hillel Italie

Associated Press

There's nothing profound about the film, but it stays with you. After leaving the theater you'll find yourself turning an ear toward strangers and listening hard.

Oct 25, 2018

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Gibson keeps this movie afloat.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

I hate it

Aug 1, 2024

Full Review

Bianca Garner

In Their Own League

Just a bit of fluff that is perfect to watch while chilling out on the sofa.

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Andy Klein

Los Angeles CityBeat

English's attempts to fit The Women into a modern setting are intelligent, but that, unfortunately, does not suffice, because the film is so limp in so many other ways.

Nov 12, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

Ed R

A VERY clever take on the romance we express versus what we truly feel on the inside.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

Full Review

Jace E

I think this movie would be a bit better if Mel Gibson's character wasn't such a huge jerk for the first half of the film. I get that they are trying to show his character growth and evolution, but dang, he is just so unlikable from the jump. While the film does a decent job of showing how overwhelming it would be to hear all of the countless thoughts surrounding him, ultimately I felt that it barely scratched the surface. In trying to be about women empowerment, it kind of did the opposite. I don't think that "What Women Want" is a terrible movie, but it is one that I don't see myself rewatching. Best Character: Darcy Best Quote: "My dad? He's always been... like an uncle to me. Yeah, Uncle Dad." - Alex Best Scene: Helping Erin

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

Douglas E

This is, without a doubt, one of the best romantic comedies I’ve ever seen! Full of memorable scenes, it truly lives in my heart

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

Full Review

JAMES H

Hilarious: Don't know why it's rated so badly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

David S

Did the world pay attention- the times I watched this?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

Full Review

bob c

Could be quite an interesting movie if it didn’t have Mel Gibson in it. Cary Grant, Clooney, or whoever would have done.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Nancy Meyers

Director

Mel Gibson

Nick Marshall

Helen Hunt

Darcy Maguire

Marisa Tomei

Lola

Mark Feuerstein

Morgan

Lauren Holly

Gigi

View more videos

It's a Boy Girl Thing

67%

61%

It's a Boy Girl Thing

Watchlist

Milk Money

12%

37%

Milk Money

Watchlist

Sliding Doors

65%

77%

Sliding Doors

Watchlist

Lost & Found

13%

28%

Lost & Found

Watchlist

Shallow Hal

49%

45%

Shallow Hal

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Box Office Guru Preview: Mel, Cameron, & Leo Battle For #1 Spot

New "Shrek" Title; New "Shrek" Story

Jude to Take an All-Star "Holiday"

What Women Want: Trailer 1

2:17

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) gets a whole new outlook on life when a fluke accident gives him the ability to read women's minds. At first, this "gift" provides Nick with way too much information, but he begins to realize that he can use it to good effect, especially when it comes to outwitting his new boss, Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt).

Director: Nancy Meyers
Producer: Susan Cartsonis, Bruce Davey, Gina Matthews, Nancy Meyers
Screenwriter: Josh Goldsmith, Nancy Meyers, Cathy Yuspa
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Icon Entertainment International, Wind Dancer Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $182.8M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now